SEATTLE — The Seattle SuperSonics appear set to pluck another piece from the San Antonio Spurs.

The Sonics have scheduled a Thursday news conference amid reports that the team has hired P.J. Carlesimo as its head coach. Team officials refused to comment Tuesday on a report that first appeared on the San Antonio Express-News Web site, which said Carlesimo had been chosen by Sonics ownership.

Carlesimo and former Minnesota coach Dwane Casey have been considered front-runners for the Seattle job. Casey told The Associated Press on Tuesday evening that he was informed by the Sonics they were going with another candidate. Casey said he was not told who the choice was.

“They said they were going in a different direction, and that I made it a tough decision,” said Casey, a former assistant in Seattle. “I’m disappointed.”

Seattle general manager Sam Presti, who spent the past seven years working in the Spurs’ organization before becoming Seattle’s GM on June 7, was traveling and unavailable for comment.

Carlesimo, 58, has been an assistant the last five seasons in San Antonio and before that was head coach in Portland and Golden State. The position in Seattle has been vacant since the Sonics fired Bob Hill on April 24 after the team went 31-51 last season.

Sonics owner Clay Bennett, a member of the Spurs’ board of governors in the 1990s, repeatedly has said he wants to model the Sonics after the San Antonio organization. He seems on his way there, having hired Presti and now, apparently, Carlesimo from the Spurs.

Draft pick Yi has rough night

DALLAS — Yi Jianlian’s first taste of NBA competition did not go smoothly, as he scored 11 points for the Chinese national team in a 105-100 loss to the Dallas Mavericks’ summer league team.

Yi, selected with the sixth overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft, had just one point in the second half. He shot 3-for-9 from the floor while committing three turnovers in 31 minutes. He did have a team-leading 10 rebounds, along with two assists and two blocked shots.

Lewis headed to Orlando

SEATTLE — Rashard Lewis is leaving the Northwest and taking his game to Orlando.

One of the most sought-after free agents this offseason, Lewis agreed to a “maximum contract” with the Magic, his agent Tony Dutt said.

Lewis made the decision late Monday night after meeting with Magic officials in Orlando.

The terms of the deal are still being worked out, but Lewis is expected to receive a deal in the range of $15 million per season. The Magic wouldn’t comment Tuesday, citing league rules that an agreement cannot be announced until July 11.

Orlando can only sign Lewis to a five-year contract, while Seattle could sign Lewis to a six-year deal. Dutt said the Magic and Seattle are in discussions about a sign-and-trade deal that would give Lewis that sixth year, help Orlando clear some salary and give Seattle something in return.

Sonics officials would not comment on the possibility of a sign-and-trade.

Lewis told the Florida Today newspaper Tuesday afternoon that Orlando was at the top of his list from the start, largely due to the opportunity to team with Dwight Howard.

“Me and my agent sat down and talked about it after the season, and we determined that Orlando would be No.1, and when they gave me that call on the first (of July), I was just so excited,” Lewis told the newspaper, while waiting at the Orlando airport for a flight to Houston.

Billups to re-sign with Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chauncey Billups and the Detroit Pistons agreed on a five-year, $60 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

The person, who requested anonymity because of league rules preventing contract announcements before July 11, said the final season is a team option, making the deal worth $46 million guaranteed over four years.

However, ESPN.com reported that Billups’ agent refuted media reports that his client had agreed to a contract.

The 6-foot-3, 202-pound All-Star said he would prefer to stay with Detroit and expected to be back if the team could match any other team’s best offer.

Kings fire assistants

SACRAMENTO — The Kings let go of all four assistant coaches who worked for coach Eric Musselman last season.

Scott Brooks of Manteca, Brendan O’Connor, Mark Hughes and Clay Moser were relieved of their duties, president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said.

Reggie Theus was hired last month to replace Musselman, who went 33-49 in his one season as Kings coach.

Around the league

-Patrick Ewing was hired as an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic, filling out Stan Van Gundy’s staff.

Ewing, an 11-time All-Star, was a Rockets assistant from 2004-06, and served on the Washington Wizards’ coaching staff. He’ll work with low-post players, including All-Star Dwight Howard.

Ewing played 15 seasons, mostly with the New York Knicks, and finished his career with Orlando in 2001-02.

-The Indiana Pacers started addressing their need for outside shooting by looking way outside, signing Lithuanian League star Kareem Rush.

The 6-foot-6 guard was the Baltic League Final Four MVP last season. A first-round draft pick in 2002, Rush has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte and Seattle.

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